My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 457: Chapter 209: Can I Kill?

”Senior Brother Yue’s disciple... is incredible. To think his Profound Nether Nature has been refined to such a degree. The frosty chill is so pure, he’s already grasped the True Intent of ’Guicang’ and even touched upon the wonders of ’Slow’... No wonder he can suppress a Geng Metal Sword Cultivator with a higher Cultivation... This boy’s Nature Attribute Level far exceeds his Cultivation Realm.”

”It’s not just his Nature. Look at his Body Protection Water Armor—it flows smoothly and perfectly. He deeply understands the Water Element’s principle of being ’Supremely Soft and Supremely Strong,’ and its defensive power is astonishing... And that Leaf Skill that enhances his strength—his bursts of power are completely natural, and his control over the physical strain is exquisite... This boy’s comprehension is truly astounding... His use of Leaf Skill has already reached a masterful level.”

”His Talent and comprehension are impeccable.”

A slightly hoarse voice, one with a grating texture like gold against stone, interjected.

The speaker was none other than the Elder from the Luzhan Lineage. His gaze was like a hawk’s, locked onto the details of Qin Fang’s every move, his brow slightly furrowed. ”But look at his fighting style... it’s too ’by the book.’”

The other Elders raised their eyebrows.

He pointed down to the platform. ”When he has the advantage in strength, he crushes them with strength. When his Cold Qi is a counter, he wears them down with Cold Qi. When his defense is solid, he tanks the hit and counterattacks... Every response is based on a trait where he clearly surpasses his opponent... This isn’t wrong. It’s safe, and it’s effective.”

His tone shifted, taking on a hint of harsh scrutiny. ”But think about it. What if his opponent’s Cultivation, strength, and abilities aren’t weaker than his, or are even stronger? What if he’s in a desperate situation with no room to leisurely display his advantages?”

”His current fighting style is more like a ’drill’ than a ’fight to the death’!”

”He lacks that decisiveness and adaptability born from being on the brink of life and death—that willingness to abandon all fancy moves and go for the most fatal blow!”

The Elder’s eyes were cold and severe. ”His Talent gives him the luxury of choice. But in a real battle, especially against those mad dogs from the Evil Cults or some ferocious beast... who’s going to give you such a leisurely opportunity to stack your advantages?”

”What he needs is a true trial by fire, a life-and-death struggle!”

”To grind away that ’step-by-step’ approach that exists because of his superior Talent. Otherwise, his Talent might instead become the very shackles that hold him back from advancing further!”

”Deep down, he has that ruthlessness and killing intent... I am absolutely not mistaken about that.”

”The Guiyuan Lineage... is not suitable for him!”

”...”

All the Elders fell silent.

Then Zhou Xuanmo, who was beside him, rolled his eyes at him.

”Cut the fucking crap. After all that, don’t you just fucking want Linyuan for your Luzhan Lineage? ...Fine, go find Senior Brother Yue. See if he doesn’t beat the shit out of you. If no shit comes out, then I’ll admit you were already clean.”

The Luzhan Lineage Elder’s face instantly stiffened.

”...”

”Pfft!”

Several of the surrounding Elders snickered.

Meanwhile, on the Inquiry Platform.

Under Qin Fang’s relentless suppression, Zhao Yuanling had finally reached his limit.

...His faint golden Body Protection True Essence had been riddled with holes by the Profound Nether Cold Qi. More than half his body was covered in a thick layer of dark, solid ice. His joints were stiff, and his movements had slowed by more than tenfold.

...He was almost like the Erosion Puppet from that day.

It was just that beneath the layer of ice, a stubborn, unyielding golden light still flowed and struggled, extremely slowly.

Seeing this, Qin Fang stopped his attacks.

...Even though his opponent had attacked with killing intent in his eyes.

’But, after all...’

’This is a dueling ring.’

’And we’re at the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect.’

He couldn’t actually land a killing blow and murder him.

The churning aquatic light around his Abyss Water Armor quietly receded.

He looked at the nearly-frozen ice sculpture that was Zhao Yuanling and spoke gently, ”Senior Brother Zhao, it seems... the victor has been decided.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly across the suddenly silent surroundings of the Inquiry Platform.

Zhao Yuanling’s ice-bound body trembled violently. The thin ice covering his face cracked with a CRACK, revealing a pair of bloodshot eyes filled with intense unwillingness and bone-deep coldness.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he only managed to exhale a puff of white air mixed with ice shards.

The last remnants of golden True Essence in his body surged frantically, trying to shatter the solid ice, but the Cold Qi from Qin Fang’s Profound Nether True Essence was not something that could be dispelled in a moment.

He stared intently at Qin Fang. The previous arrogance in his gaze was gone, replaced only by an icy chill born of his dignity being viciously trampled, and... a trace of hatred so palpable it was almost tangible!

He squeezed his eyes shut with great difficulty.

”...I... lost.”

Two words, forced through his clenched teeth, dry and hoarse. Each one seemed to carry flecks of blood and slivers of ice.

At the sound of his voice, Qin Fang’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he watched Zhao Yuanling in silence.

THUD!

The last glimmer of resisting golden light around Zhao Yuanling’s body was completely extinguished. Losing all support, his entire being, now fully encased in thick Profound Ice, crashed to the ground.

A dead silence first fell over the area around the Inquiry Platform.

Then, a tsunami of thunderous cheers and shouts erupted, rocketing into the heavens!

”He won! Senior Brother Qin won!”

”Hahaha! So what if he’s one of the Golden Rainbow Seven Sons? He was still defeated by a True Inheritance disciple of our Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect!”

”Senior Brother Qin is mighty!”

All the pent-up frustration and suffocation that the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect disciples had endured for months was vented in this single moment. Every one of them had a flushed face, their excitement uncontrollable.

Their gazes, fixed on the dark-robed, star-like figure on the stage, were filled with fervor and adoration.

On the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect’s side, the stunningly beautiful woman and the others flew onto the stage, their expressions grave.

The stunningly beautiful woman tapped her fingertips, sending streams of condensed, cyan True Gang into the Profound Ice, attempting to dissolve the tyrannical Cold Qi within.

But very quickly, her expression sank slightly, and she was secretly alarmed...

’This Profound Nether True Essence... it’s even more troublesome than I imagined!’

’I’m using my True Gang to dispel it... and I can barely even make a dent?’

She looked at Qin Fang in astonishment...

’The Level of his Profound Nether Nature... is probably even higher than I thought.’